| Resource Centre – May 2008 |
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News >> Features >> Bishop Jim >> Clergy on the Spot >> AFP >> Thin Slices
Several years ago a friend recommended a book to me that she had really enjoyed. The title was one of those that stuck. It was called, The Doctor Will Not See You Now. I didn’t get around to reading it then assuming that since my friend was a doctor, the book would be more meaningful for her than me. Was I ever wrong!
A couple of months ago I found the book on our shelves at the Resource Centre and I was in for a wonderful surprise.
| The Doctor Will Not See You Now is an autobiography of Dr Jane Poulson, an Anglican who lived her life with God in the Church and in the world. The book shows how her indomitable spirit and faith carried her and her family and friends along an incredible journey of life. Dr Jane Poulson knew all too well how little control we have over our lives. She faced diabetes at age 13, blindness at 27, breast cancer and heart disease in her 40s. She also became Canada’s first practising blind physician, set up a palliative care program at a major hospital, taught scores of medical students and wrote articles for leading medical journals. She travelled to northern Quebec, France, Bermuda and England. She went cross-country skiing and swimming and even water skiing. She went to Church. She played the piano. She threw great parties. She lived. |
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During her life, Jane applied her faith to her career and health challenges. She spent some time studying theology and practising meditation. She devised her own form of meditating on the following five statements which she would repeat over and over and from these she would get a calm and strength to face the day.
This is my moment May I live in it well
In the calm and the storm, may I hear the still, small voice of God.
May the darkness be overcome by the power of your light.
I am the lamb of God, may I live with grace.
The Lord is my shepherd, I am safe.
Archbishop Ted Scott who knew Jane has written this of her book. “The Doctor Will Not See You Now is the must-read autobiography of a battle-scarred patient. Her family and friends were constantly astounded by her determination, courage and honesty in facing disease head-on. To be close to Jane during her epic struggle brought anger, pain and sorrow, but her friends gradually discovered that it also enriched their lives. It is my belief that those who read her story will share this experience and will join her personal friends in saying, ‘Thank you Jane for a life so fully lived, so richly shared.’”
In reading this book, I became incredibly aware of what a wonderful role model Dr Jane Poulson was for us all, clergy and lay, for living out our baptismal ministry in the world today.
Shalom,